The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-04-24
TEMPERED by Reflection.

Tie Florida Herald has made severe
charges rejecting on the official conduct
of Gov. Perry, and these have been
brought to the attention of its editor by
repeated references from u.s. The re-
butting statements are now 50 strong
that our contemporary is constrained to
say:
"A nights reflection has convinced us
that there are two good sides to this
question of appointments and we can
not discuss it fairly until our informa-
ton upon the details and circumstances
is enlarged. When we learn more of
these we shall have more to say. Until
then the way to be just is to be silent
This would be entirely proper if
silence We're exactly just. The Herald
has given the weight of its influence to
the anonymous ISLANDERS of Lex, and it
should examine carefully and then
speak its convictions frankly and firmly.
If the Herald is fair and just it
will say whether Perry be guilty as
charged whether his defence as
protfered is satisfactory, and whether
the situation as given in THE PALATKA
NEWS and by Gov. Perry is truly de-
scribed. Then the expression of judg
ment should be decisive and clear. The
Herald has already declared that the mat
ter is an important question affecting
the whole people, and as such there
should be no hesitancy in discussing it
fully.
But the Herald cannot afford to treat
IL - Il
portant. On the receipt of the report of
the Drainage Commission, the Herald
declared its information too scant and
its investigation too crude" to permit of
the expression of an opinion This was
about the first of March last, and IL
Such course i'll reference to- the
vacant" judgeships will not fulfill
the expectations which have been
aroused by the questions brought for
ward anew by the Herald. If its judg
ment must lie tempered by reflection, the
process should not consume length of
time during which the attack is still
carrying its poisonous influence through
| out the State.
There is another matter ON which We
| differ iH toto from the Herald 1t has
repeated again and again that the State
owes Bloxham a debt of gratitude.
''Wm. ID. Bloxham has a great debt due
| him by the State of Florida" Now. We
hold that no mans services can accumu-
late such a debt. But while his services
are continually enumerated, his rewards
are always left in the back
| ground. For nearly score of
years VIM. ID. BIoxham has never been
| out of office save during the brief period
when he was diligently seeking another.
| The democracy has honored him by its
| partial preference-the State has never
disregarded his claims in the past save
when these were utterly beyond bound.
Even the National Administration list
| ened to his claim" and it was fully con-
| coded only To be rejected by him-he Is
| holding office now-one he asked for
| and accepted. Now we respectfully
| submit that even if these claims
We're valid they have been paid. with ex-
| orbitant interest up to date. No modest
man would allow his friends to go SC
| far that an enumeration OF counter.
| claims in behalf of the State will
soon become absolutely necessary. Does
! W. II. Bloxham owe the State moth
| ing: Not so thought Washington and
Lee. Has w. ID. Bloxham received
nothing for these vaunted services" on
which claim" is based? Every citi-
zen of Florida knows that the counter
claim would necessitate a lengthy emu
meration of important and honorable
positions. Can a man build up q
''claim'' against his mother? Can he
who brings charge which is rebutted
be silent and be jusfP VIII the Florida
Herald answer?